Here in Lexington, we’re hitting the warmest months of the summer sun. This also means that you’re trying to find as many cheap ways to stay cool as possible, even air conditioner service. Getting full use of your pool pass is great, but sometimes you just want to be able to chill in your home, too. It could be the hottest time of the year, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend exorbitant amounts on your cooling bills.
Your HVAC team at James Heating & A/C, Inc are here to offer a couple tips on how to get the most from your AC.
Set your programmable thermostat. If you’re not taking advantage of all your programmable thermostat has to offer, you’re missing out on potential savings. In fact, Natural Resources Canada found that you can save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling just by programming your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours every day. Set your thermostat to cool less when you’re away during the day and set it to turn it back on around the time you arrive home.
Use fans to help circulate the air. Ceiling fans circulate the air in a room and help boost the effect of your air conditioner. When a ceiling fan is turned on while the air conditioner is running, you can actually raise the temperature on your thermostat a couple degrees without sacrificing comfort.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. A lot of heat can get in to your home through your windows, so make certain that your curtains, blinds and shades are closed during the hot afternoon hours. Even reducing the sunlight that comes into your home from noon to 5 p.m. can help keep your home a little cooler and take away some work from your AC.
Set up an air conditioner service appointment. We couldn’t let this one slip by, but for good reason. Regular maintenance on your HVAC equipment can help make sure it operates at peak efficiency when it needs to. Plus, the last thing you want in Lexington in August is for the AC to not work, and an air conditioner service visit can also catch small fixes before they become larger issues.
Consider energy efficiency. Given that we’re just about through the summer months, you’re probably not wanting to purchase a new AC right now. But when you are ready to replace your equipment, look for Energy Star® certification and high SEER ratings, which can help you save hundreds of dollars a year on cooling costs.
While you can’t control the climate in Lexington, you can control the comfort of your home. And with these insights, you could even save a few dollars while staying cool this summer. If your system just can’t compete, call James Heating & A/C, Inc at 336-853-6070 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.